Song to the Evening Star by Zdenka

Chapter 1

Come, my queen, the brightest of stars is rising.
Gradually the heat of the day is fading;
flower-scented breezes with gentle touches
stir through the curtains.

Leave the court where venomous gossips whisper;
come to your own chambers, your peaceful refuge,
come and find the dearest of all your handmaids
kneeling before you.

Let me take the gem from your brow and loosen
every layer and sash of your royal garments,
pin by pin releasing your night-dark tresses
till they flow freely.

Come, my queen, the brightest of stars is rising;
yet to me the light of your eyes is brighter,
dearer than the jewels of Elentári
shining in heaven.

Let my hands relieve you of pain and sorrow;
let me draw the water, attend your bathing,
comb your long wet hair till it’s sleek and shining,
coax out the tangles.

Be not distant, come to me, let me see you!
Let my lips be pressed against yours, my fingers
trace along the curves of your skin, your nearness
fill all my senses.

See, soft wings of darkness enwrap the palace
(yet, above, the brightest of stars is rising);
come, my queen, my Míriel, I await you,
breathless with longing.

Chapter End Notes

Elentári: Star-queen, an epithet of Varda